Johnson reveals in his biography that he was closed to punched Petersen during Ashes 2009

Mitchell Johnson, retired Australian fast bowler has revealed in his biography called ‘Resilient’ that he was almost closed to punched England batsman Kevin Petersen during the 2009 ashes series, was involved in a scuffle and wanted to hit Petersen during the warm up match, happened before the start of the first test match at Cardiff.

At the time some issues were spreading in media related to his personal life which includes his mother, Vicky Harber (son) and his then girlfriend named Jessica Bratich. However this could be the reason which disturbed him on the field and made him to release his anger with him (Petersen).

Johnson words in autobiography- “Things got out of hand during the warm-up for the Test and what happened probably indicates where my head was at.

“Kevin Pietersen is a guy who likes to stir things up and I can appreciate that. He knows how to get under people’s skin and when we were bowling in the morning he played a few pull shots in our direction.

“It wasn’t exactly harmless because we could easily have stood on a ball in our run-ups. I threw a ball back to where he was and I suggested he stop it. Of course, he didn’t.

“When he hit another one towards me I kicked it as far as I could in the other direction. Words were exchanged and KP crossed the line in what he said. He got really personal and I’m not going to dignify his comments by repeating them. The red mist descended and I stormed in his direction with every intention in the world of hitting him.”

Stuart Clarke intervenes between them ,decided to stop and put an end to the argument.

“He got really personal and I’m not going to dignify his comments by repeating them. The red mist descended and I stormed in his direction with every intention in the world of hitting him. This was all being played out in full view of spectators who had arrived early and the media.

“Stu Clark saw it all happen and came rushing over just as we came together and jumped between us. KP is a big guy, but I was very worked up.  If KP and I had gone toe to toe, life might have taken another strange twist.

“Fortunately, Stu is bigger than both of us because it took a bit to convince me not to go through with what I planned. I am so glad Stu was there,” Johnson adds.